Victims recount night of horror at hands of police in Nandi Hills

 Video shows police assaulting men playing pool in Nandi Hills.

Residents of Nandi Hills town are reeling from shock and trauma after allegedly being robbed and assaulted by police officers during a night patrol operation.

Business owners and other urban residents are counting losses following the raid, which they say was carried out by men in police uniform on the night of January 10, 2025.

Residents recounted that business was running normally, with people watching a European Premier League match, until about 10.30pm, when a contingent of uniformed officers arrived in a police vehicle and began clobbering town dwellers at random.

Cynthia Jepng’etich, who is nursing an injury to her left jaw, said she encountered the officers just outside an entertainment joint. She stated that there were between 10 and 15 officers, all armed with firearms.

“One of them instructed me to lie down, and before I could do so, he hit me on the left cheek. About four police officers then assaulted me in turns. I narrowly escaped when they entered the pool room,” she said.

At the time, residents said the entire town descended into chaos as people ran helter-skelter for their lives. Traders operating late into the night said they were not spared, as the officers allegedly meted out kicks and blows indiscriminately.

The officers reportedly stormed a pool hall and randomly attacked a group of youths using cue sticks and kicks. Collins Kimeli, who was among those playing pool, sustained a deep wound behind his right knee.

He said the officers forced their way into the pool hall at around 10.45pm and ordered everyone to lie down and produce their national identity cards.

“When I showed my ID card to one of the officers, he ignored it and brutally hit me on the backside and legs. I was helpless and lay on the floor as my legs went numb and started bleeding,” he said.

Residents described the streets as a scene of terror, saying the officers also attacked women who were closing their grocery businesses, robbing them of phones and money.

About 20 youths reportedly sustained serious injuries to their legs, backs, chests and heads. Several revellers and pool players had their mobile phones taken. Those injured were forced to seek treatment at Nandi Hills Sub-County Hospital.

The aggrieved residents said they reported the incidents hours later at Nandi Police Station, but officers on duty said they were unaware of any security operation conducted in the town that night.

Dismas Tenai, who lost his phone during the incident, said he was unable to trace the gadget after police told him that no recovered items or exhibits had been booked at the station.

“I just registered my case and went home. We have not recovered our belongings, and we believe the officers involved were from the RDU camp located at Songhor on the Nandi–Kisumu border, who left with several valuable items after the raid,” Tenai said.

Nandi County Police Commander Samuel Mukuusi said he was not aware of any police operation in the town and clarified that officers stationed at Nandi Hills were not involved.

He said he learned of the alleged attack through social media and confirmed that investigations had been launched to establish the officers involved.

“So far, we have received dozens of cases. I urge residents to cooperate with the police by recording statements. I cannot make a conclusive statement until investigations are completed,” Mukuusi said.

Governor Stephen Sang and Nandi Hills MP Bernard Kitur condemned the incident and called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to expedite investigations and ensure legal action is taken against the officers responsible.

In a statement, Governor Sang said: “The disturbing incident captured on CCTV in Nandi Hills is not only unlawful and unacceptable but also demonstrates a gross violation of the constitutional rights and dignity of citizens.”

MP Kitur urged the Inspector General of Police to take disciplinary action against RDU officers, who he said are largely suspected of carrying out the brutal assaults.

“Those attacked were not criminals or suspects. They were youths enjoying their leisure time. These officers were not the usual police known to residents of Nandi Hills. Their actions were inhuman and contrary to the police code of conduct,” Kitur said.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has since ordered an internal investigation following the circulation of CCTV footage showing police officers assaulting members of the public in Nandi County.

The Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) have both launched investigations, with IPOA confirming that several victims and witnesses have already been identified and contacted.